The Job and What's Involved

A bus or tram conductor works in the passenger section of a bus or tram - single or double-decker - collecting fares, issuing tickets and answering queries about routes, fares and timetables.

A bus or tram inspector is usually a promoted post within the company, involving planning staffing rotas, adjusting timetables, dealing with complaints and perhaps checking tickets.

Conductors are mostly on their feet, wearing a heavy money satchel and a ticket machine. They walk about on the moving vehicle, which may be tightly packed. They must be able to balance without holding on and perhaps climb up and down stairs. They may have to load luggage, pushchairs and wheelchairs. Usually they wear a uniform, which the company provides.

Passengers, particularly at night, may be drunk or aggressive. There is a risk of verbal or physical abuse.

An inspector spends some of the day in an office in the depot, but also travels on the buses and trams.

The duties of a bus or tram conductor:

• helps passengers on and off buses and ensures that everyone remains seated safely.
• where necessary, helps secure luggage, fold baby buggies and deal with wheelchairs.
• goes from one passenger to another, asking the destination, calculating the fare, issuing tickets from a machine, collecting the money and giving change.
• checks season tickets and concessionary passes, ensuring they are valid.
• assesses age and, in case of doubt, asks for proof.
• on request, warns passengers when their stop comes up.
• checks that passengers do not stay on past the stop they have paid for.
• keeps track of which passengers have already paid.
• answers queries about routes, timetables and fares.
• challenges fare-dodgers, vandals or troublesome passengers and may evict them from the vehicle or summon help.
• deals with lost property and suspicious packages.
• copes with emergencies - deals with passengers falling ill or fighting, moves passengers on to a replacement bus in case of breakdown or accidents.
• counts the money and checks that it matches with tickets sold; may have to personally make up any shortfall.
• may write a report about problems.

The duties of a bus or tram inspector:

• plans and adjusts routes and timetables.
• plans the rotas of drivers and conductors and arranges cover for absentees.
• surveys routes by traveling on them and timing them.
• might board buses and trams to check that passengers have valid tickets and deal with those who do not.
• carries out general administrative duties.

Inspectors may also be known as route managers, rota managers or team leaders.

Education and Training

Bus or tram conductors must be over 18 years of age. The majority of employers of bus or tram conductors, require applicants to have at least an ordinary UK car driving licence, so that they can also undergo training as drivers.

Some employers ask applicants to sit tests in maths and literacy. They need no set educational qualifications, but they must have good skills in reading, writing and maths, for dealing with administration and handling money.

Applicants should be in good health. Some companies do not allow contact lenses, although spectacles are acceptable. There may be a medical examination.

Adult Entry

There are no age limits and employers welcome mature applicants who are fit and healthy. Experience in working with the public is useful, particularly if it includes handling money.

Training

Most operators provide on-the-job training for new recruits. The training generally lasts two to four weeks, and includes:

• operating ticket machines
• route familiarisation
• customer care
• health and safety matters

The NVQ in Rail Transport Operations has a Passenger Services qualification at Level 2. There are also NVQ/SVQs at Level 2 or 3 in Road Passenger Transport.

Personal Qualities

Bus or tram conductors and inspectors need:

• clear speech and good communication
• a good memory - for faces, fares and routes
• an awareness of safety
• numerical speed and accuracy
• assertiveness for dealing with fare-dodgers and rowdy passengers
• a polite manner
• physical fitness
• writing skills for reports

Prospects

Companies employing bus and tram conductors generally run local rather than long-distance services. There are over 6,000 bus and coach companies operating throughout the UK. Tram services currently run in nine towns and cities, although more are planned.

Most buses and coaches now operate with a driver only. Proportionally more tram services operate with conductors. However in most areas, apart from London and Sheffield, the tram conductor must also be qualified to take a turn at driving.

Jobs may be advertised in the local press, in Jobcentre Plus offices and on the websites of bus, coach and tram companies.

Get Further Information

Translink, the integrated public transport operation of Metro, NI Railways and Ulsterbus
Tel: 028 9066 6630  Website: www.translink.co.uk

Community Transport Association, Highbank, Halton Street, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 2NY
Tel: 0870 774 3586  Website: www.communitytransport.com

Confederation of Passenger Transport UK, Imperial House, 15-19 Kingsway,
London WC2B 6UN  Tel: 020 7240 3131  Website: www.cpt-uk.org

GoSkills, Concorde House, Trinity Park, Solihull, West Midlands B37 7UQ  Tel: 0121 635 5520
Website: www.goskills.org

 

Careers information and vocational qualifications change rapidly. The information in this career note was accurate at the time of going to print, but readers should check it with professional bodies or careers advisers before making decisions.